Parquet Box

This week I managed to finish this Box. For the very first time in a life, I did finish it a couple of days before my wife´s Ines birthday.

I was able to overcome the mathematics issues involved in determining the measurements of the box sides and lid. , I made all measurements in inches which proved to be far more easier than using higher number in millimeters.

The box itself and the tray are made of Maple, as well as the veneering. While ¼” bandings are walnut.

Measures w x d x h 9.5” x 6,5” x 3,75”

Finished with lacquer.

It all starts in determining the size of each square. Then decide how many squares for the lid, and the height of the box.My squares were ¾”, and the lid is 12×8 squares, and 4 squares height. Then edgings of ¼” were added.

Started with 2 pieces 13” long and 4” wide. Were planned one to a ¾” and other to 7/8”.

The ¾” piece was crosscut into 7/8” strips, while the 7/8” was crosscut to ¾”.

All the pieces were glued alternating ¾” and 7/8” thickness pieces rotating every other piece 90°, thus obtaining a 7/8” thick board piece.

So still you don´t have squares yet, but rectangles ¾” X 7/8”

After glue has cured for 24 hs, I passed through the thickness sander, to get a ¾” thickness on both boards. It took a while. But was safer than using the planner. (I didn´t even consider it !)

BTW, a couple of months ago I managed to build a thickness sander. I ´ve been playing with that idea for a while, and found StewartYorkshire blog including compendium of sanders very useful research. Thank you Stewart!! After building and using it, I couldn’t understand how I managed to work without it. (I didn´t post it since there are a lot of blogs in LJ about. Moreover, no one will be wiser after seeing my sander anyway)

Getting back on track, the board then is cut in thin strips (1/16”). I use the TS with a thin kerf 7 ½” blade.

Building the box is quite straightforward. Tongue and groove for the sides, and rabbets for the lid.

After my experience with chessboards, I decided to apply the veneer strip by strip. Time consuming indeed, but was the safer way to go for my WW level. I glued it with TB III.

To make things a little easier, I decided to miter all corners of the banding. I almost got it,

Hi Fernando, That is a Great Looking Box, Love all the details including the added lip to hold the lid, Your write ups are always great and easy to follow, almost makes it look easy, that’s a neat drum sander You have there, this and all Your projects are a real pleasure to view and admire, thanks Fernando for sharing

Hey Fernando – that is a great box – the details are exceptional – well done! Nice tutorial – I was just saying, I wonder how he did that – when I realized this is a project/blog…....thanks for the blog bonus!

And the drum sander secret….....how sweet is that. Everyone should build a drum sander…..do you also have a new router table you haven’t told us about?

Wonderful work on that box, wife must be with a sweet smile.Hope life is kind to you and the family.I have to look into this thickness sander, it is one of my never ending to do projects that never make it to the top of the list.Best thoughts Fernando,Mads